Wood-handling device



HERMAN M. S TRAWN, OFCHICO, CALIFORNIA.

WOOD-HANDLING DEVICE.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J 11116 15,

Application filed February 26, 1919. Serial No. 279,331.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HERMAN M. STRAWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chico, in the county of Butte and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wood-Handling Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accom panying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved wood handling device. I

Heretofore it has been found that the handling ofwood a stick at a time, is exceedingly slow and laborious, making'the labor practically so costly that the wood wassubstantially not worth the cost of producing and delivery.

Therefore, the invention aims to provide 4 an improved apparatus, particularly such as a pair of cradle frames for thereception of the wood, whereby it may be carried conveniently from the woodyard to the consumers residence;

The invention further aims to provide a pair of cradle frames, to be so positioned in spaced relation to each other, as to permit the wood to be piled thereon, in combination with means, whereby the two cradle framesmay be hoisted, and swung upon the truck for delivery. I

Also, heretofore in piling wood by building bulk-heads piling the wood one layer cross-wise and the next layer at right angles thereto) the party doing the work could very often give dishonest measure by leaving a vacant space on the interior of the pile. t

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a pair of cradle frames having means carried thereby, for contacting the pile of wood (which is arranged on the two cradle frames), thereby preventing the workman from leaving the vacant space or hollow on the interior of the pile.

The invention further aims to provide cradle frames which are extensible or collapsible, and means for holding the parts eX- tended and in osition, in combination with means for handling the cradle frames from the truck at the curb, to the basement of the residence, this latter means comprising a handcar, which maybe easily wheeled from the curb to the basement or to a window leading to the basement.

While the present design and the construction of the invention is deemed prefer (which is accomplished by able, it isobvious that changes may be made it in the details, when reducing the device to a-practical form for commercial purposes. The rlght to these changes is claimed, provided they are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The inventlon COIIlPI'lSGSfllItllBI features "and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure wood handling cradle frame constructed in accordance with the invention. i

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the cradle frame, showing a pile of wood on the cradle frame, and the means for drawing the wood into a compact form under tension, the pile of wood being illustrated in elevation.

Flg. 3 is a perspective view on one of the cradle frames collapsed.

Referring to the drawings nate a pair of cradle frames, which, when 1n use, are arranged in spaced parallel relation as illustrated, for the reception of the wood in a pile. Each cradle frame comprlses a base beam 3, and the end vertical posts 4 and 5, hingedly connected at 6 to-the base beam. By the arrangement of the hinges in the manner illustrated, the ver- 1 is a vlew in perspective of the I 1 and 2 desigv tical posts 4 and 5 may be collapsed upon transverse rods 10 are connected at 11 to the I base beam of the cradle frame 2. These rods 10 are in turn connected detachably to the base beam 3 of the cradle frame 1,

as shownat 12. These detachable connections 9 and 12 conslst of screws passing through the ends of the rods 7. and 10. It 1s obvious that the braces may be disconnected from the upright posts 4, allowing them to be collapsed against the base beam.-

, Loosely fitting over the upper ends of the V upright posts 4 and held in position by the staples 13 are loops 14, to which the rods. 15 are connected. The opposite ends of the rods 15 have elongated loops 16, which are designed to fit loosely over the upright posts tioned over the pile.

5. Pivotally mounted upon the upper ends of the upright posts 5 as indicated at 17 are loops 16, the leversf18 may be moved upon their pivots, thereby drawing the upright posts 4 and 5 toward each other at their upper ends. In other words, the structure is'drawn tight and rigid, the loops 16. be-

g 22, in the manner ing put under tension.

Threaded into the adjacent edges of the base beams, and the adjacent edges of the upright posts 4: and 5 are screw eyes 20. Connected to the screw eyes is a plurality of short chains 21 of general construction. The outer ends of these chains are provided with rings 22. Cables 01'' the like 23 of any suitable length are passed through the rings ends of the cables are brought together, and are provided with rings 24. The rings 24: are designed to be arranged in close position, and to be engaged by a suitable unitary v hoisting hook 25 carried by any suitable hoisting mechanism (not shown). 7 After the wood is arranged in a pile upon the cradle frames, the rings 24 are brought closely together, and in engagement with the hook 25.

The cradle frame is then lifted, and in so lifting the same the cables are drawn tight about the pile of wood, it being obvious that it is impossible for the workman to leave a vacant space on the interior of the pile. After the cradlehas been hoisted and placed upon a truck (notshown), and delivered to the consumers residence, a handcar (not shown) may be employed, for wheeling the cradle to the basement, where the pile of wood may be arranged.

The invention having been set forth, what is. claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a wood handling device, the combination with 'a pair of collapsible cradle frames, of means for holding the cradle frames in spaced parallelism to each other,

each cradle frame comprising a base beam and a pair of end uprights hingedly connected to the ends of the base beams, whereby the uprights may be collapsed against the base beam, means for holding the uprights extended vertically,'detachable tie connec- 1 tions between the upper ends of the uprights and means flexibly connected to the base beam and the uprights for drawing a pile of wood compact in the cradle frames. 2. In a wood handling device, the combishown, and the opposite nation with a pair of collapsible cradle frames, of means for holding the cradle frames in spaced. parallelism to each other, each cradle frame comprising a base beam and a pair of end uprights hingedly connected to the ends of the base beams, where by the uprights may be collapsed against the base beam, means ,for. holding the uprights extending vertically, detachable tie connections between theupper, ends of the'uprights and means carried by the 'base beam and the uprightsfor drawing a pile, of woodcompact in the cradle frames, said last mentioned means comprising screw eyes carried by the base beams {and the. uprights, short loose chains loosely connectedto the screw eyes and having their outer ends provided with rings, cables passing through'the-rings of the short chains and havingrings at their opposite ends to be brought together for en-, gagement witha hoistinghook. f

3. In awood handling devicathe combination with a pair of cradle frames, of means for holding the same in spaced paral lelism, said cradle'frames having end uprights, screw eyes carried by the cradle frames, short chains loo'selylconnected to the screw eyes and provided withrings attheir outer ends, andcables passing through the rings of the chains, and having rings at their opposite ends to be brought together to engage a unitary hoisting hook. f

4:. In a wood handling device, the combination with a pair of cradle frames, of means for holding-the same in spaced paral} lelism, said cradle! frames having end up rights, screw. eyes carried by the cradle frames, short chains looselyfconnected tothe ion screw eyes andp'rovided with rings at'their outer ends, and cables passing through therings of the chains and having rings at their opposite ends to be brought together to en'- gage a unitary hoisting'hoolnandtie con:

7 nections between theupper end of the cradle frames. l g,

5. In a wood handling device, the con1bi nation with a. pair of cradle frames, of 7 means for holding the, same in .spacedparallelism, said cradle frames including uprights at their ends, a ,plurality'of flexible means connected to the inner edges ofthe bases. of the cradle frames and the inner edges of the uprights and pliable strands loosely and slidably passing through the ends of the flexible means and having their opposite ends provided with eyes brought together to engage a unitary hoisting member;

6. Ina wood handling device, the combination with a pair of cradle frames, of means forholding the same in spaced parallelism, said cradle frames including uprights at their ends, a plurality of flexible. means connected to the inner edges of the bases of the cradle frames and the inneredgesofthe uprights and pliable, strands loosely. and

slidably passing through the ends of the flexible means and having their opposite ends provided with eyes brought together to engage a unitary hoisting member, Wire connectors connected to corresponding uprights, the other ends of the Wire connectors terminating in loops, and pivoted slotted 'le ,VBIS to engage said loops, to detachably connect the Wire connectors to the opposite corresponding uprights.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HERMAN M. STRAWN. Witnesses:

J. W. KING, CHAS. E. TOVEE. 

